The Crusades
In 1071, the Byzantine Empire lost territory to the Muslims after the Battle of Manzikert. Therefore, the empire used religious motivations in attempt to regain control of "the holy places" (Israel). Religious motivations included:
- Defending Christianity
- Securing salvation through participation in the Crusades
The popes continued to call for these Crusades as "God's will".
In addition, there was also economical motivations, such as merchants seeking control over trade routes and opportunities to profit from transporting crusaders.
| Period | Purpose | Outcome | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1095 - 1102 | to recapture Jerusalem | success | Jerusalem was captured in 1099 and several Crusader states were established |
| 1147 - 1149 | to recapture Edessa | failure | |
| 1189 - 1192 | to recapture "the Holy Land", previously conquered by the Muslims in 1187 | partial success | regained some territories but not Jerusalem |
| 1202 - 1204 | intended to recapture Jerusalem but diverted to Constantinople | diverted goal | restored the deposed Isaac II Angelos as emperor |
| 1217 - 1221 | to attack the Muslim-held North African cities to weaken their support for Jerusalem | failure | |
| 1228 - 1229 | peacefully negotiate diplomatically to gain control over Jerusalem | partial success | only temporarily restored Christian control over parts of Jerusalem |
| 1248 - 1254 | to attack the Muslim Egypt to weaken their power in the Holy Land | failure | |
| 1270 | to attack the Muslim Egypt and to either reconquer or negotiate control over key Christian sites like Jerusalem | failure | |
| 1271 - 1272 | to relieve the Christian fortress of Acre | failure | had to withdraw due to internal conflict |